The Medically Underserved Population (MUP) designation involves application of the Index of Medical Underservice (IMU) to data on an underserved population within an area of residence to obtain a score for the population group. Population groups requested for MUP designation should be those with economic (low-income or Medicaid-eligible populations), cultural and/or linguistic access barriers to primary medical care services.

The MUP process involves assembling the same data elements and carrying out the same computational steps as stated for MUAs. The population is now the population of the requested group within the area rather than the total resident civilian population of the area. The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) primary care physicians includes only those serving the requested population group.

Exceptional DesignationsA population group which does not meet the established criteria of an IMU less than 62 can be considered for an Exceptional Designation if "unusual local conditions which are a barrier to access to personal health services, or the availability of personal health services" exist and are documented.

Application Checklist(Include the following in the MUA/P application)

1. Rational Service Area

Type of designation

Name of Service Area

Name of the county or counties

List of service area parts

Reason for application (new or update)

Explanation of any changes from current designation

Explanation of why area is rational

Map of service area that shows census delineation boundaries

2. Population

Population number for type of designation

Source of data

3. List of Providers (include the following for each provider)

Name

Location (non-metro areas: name of town; metro areas: address with zip code and CT, if available)

A request for an Exceptional Designation must describe in detail the unusual local conditions/access barriers/availability indicators which led to the recommendation for exceptional designation. Supporting data should be included in the request. Such requests must also include a written recommendation for designation from the governor of the state and the local health official.